Codeine for cough and cold contra-indicated for children under 12 years

30th April 2015

Codeine for cough and cold is now contraindicated in children under 12 years, and not recommended in children between 12 and 18 years with compromised respiratory function. An EU review confirmed that the way codeine is converted into morphine in children under 12 years is more variable and unpredictable, and therefore they are at increased risk of undesirable effects.

These restrictions bring the use of codeine for cough and cold more in line with the restrictions on the use of codeine for pain in children (see our news item 26 June 2013).